A small potted plant is always nice for the classroom and won't take up much room at home whether your favorite teacher is just starting out in their own apartment or has a spacious patio. As for the pot, which is a must, keep it basic.

A small potted plant is always nice for the classroom and won't take up much room at home whether your favorite teacher is just starting out in their own apartment or has a spacious patio. As for the pot, which is a must, keep it basic. (Courant File Photo)

Let's start by saying that teachers are an appreciative group. If you read their comments online, they are unfailingly kind and say sweet things about any gift from a student or parent. But if you read closely, you will also see that there are gifts that they prefer, even strongly prefer and there are those gifts that they, um, don't. Here are five of each.The Hartford Courant